US2021364535A1PendingUtilityA1

Method and apparatus for registering images of histological sections

65
Assignee: STRATEOS INCPriority: May 18, 2018Filed: Jun 7, 2021Published: Nov 25, 2021
Est. expiryMay 18, 2038(~11.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Christopher Rhodes
G01N 2001/362G01N 1/312B65H 23/16B65H 23/085B65H 23/063G01N 1/06G06T 2207/10056G01N 35/00009G01N 35/00029G06T 7/37G06T 3/4084G06T 2207/30024G06T 7/0012G06T 3/14
65
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
0
References
0
Claims

Abstract

An automated tissue section slicing, staining, and imaging system efficiently registers full-resolution tissue section images by applying scaled transformation matrices computed to register downsampled tissue section images to the full-resolution tissue section images.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for capturing sections of a biological sample on a continuous tape, comprising:
 regulating tension of a length of the continuous tape as the length of the continuous tape contacts a surface of the biological sample while the biological sample is moving toward a cutting mechanism, wherein a section of the biological sample that includes the surface remains in contact with the continuous tape after the section is sliced away from the biological sample;   wherein a supply reel supplies the continuous tape;   wherein a take up reel collects the continuous tape that has sections of the biological sample attached.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the take up reel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the supply reel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the supply reel, wherein the clutch is active. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the supply reel, wherein the clutch is passive. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape further comprises:
 creating slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape further comprises:
 creating slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the clutch is active.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape further comprises:
 creating slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the clutch is passive.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape further comprises:
 creating slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the clutch transmits torque to the take up reel when slack is present.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating tension of the length of the continuous tape further comprises:
 creating slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the biological sample is vertically oriented and travels in a downward direction toward the cutting mechanism, wherein the slack is created passively as the biological sample moves downward.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample and the length of the continuous tape are enclosed in a refrigerated enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for capturing sections of a biological sample on a continuous tape, comprising:
 a tape tension regulator configured to regulate tension of a length of the continuous tape as the length of the continuous tape contacts a surface of the biological sample while the biological sample is moving toward a cutting mechanism, wherein a section of the biological sample that includes the surface remains in contact with the continuous tape after the section is sliced away from the biological sample;   a supply reel configured to supply the continuous tape;   a take up reel configured to collect the continuous tape with sections of the biological sample attached.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the take up reel. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the supply reel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the supply reel, wherein the clutch is active. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator regulates tension of the length of the continuous tape using a clutch that is inline with the supply reel, wherein the clutch is passive. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator creates slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator creates slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the clutch is active. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator creates slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the clutch is passive. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator creates slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the clutch transmits torque to the take up reel when slack is present. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tape tension regulator creates slack in the continuous tape between a leading edge of the biological sample and the take up reel as the biological sample is cut by the cutting mechanism, wherein the biological sample is vertically oriented and travels in a downward direction toward the cutting mechanism, wherein the slack is created passively as the biological sample moves downward. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the biological sample and the length of the continuous tape are enclosed in a refrigerated enclosure. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for capturing sections of a biological sample on a continuous tape, comprising:
 a tape applicator configured to apply a portion of the continuous tape to a surface of the biological sample based on a rotary position of a flywheel of a microtome;   a supply reel configured to supply the continuous tape;   a take up reel configured to collect the continuous tape with sections of the biological sample attached.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the rotary position of the flywheel is detected by sensors positioned at locations along the flywheel's path. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the rotary position of the flywheel is detected by an encoder attached to the flywheel. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the biological sample and the portion of the continuous tape are enclosed in a refrigerated enclosure.

Join the waitlist — get patent alerts

Track US2021364535A1 — get alerts on status changes and closely related new filings.

We store only your email — no account needed. See our privacy policy.